​In Jalna, morning timings made mandatory for schools due to heat & delayed rains

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Jalna district administration on Monday directed all schools to conduct classes only during morning hours, ending before noon, in view of high daytime temperatures (ranging between 36°C and 38°C) and a lack of adequate rainfall.District collector Ashima Mittal issued the order under provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. “Jalna has not received any significant rainfall so far this year due to the influence of El Nino. To prevent heat-related health issues and safeguard students’ wellbeing, all schools, irrespective of their medium, must operate between 7.30am and noon till further orders,” Mittal said.The 2026-27 academic session began for zilla parishad and state board-affiliated schools on June 15, with many functioning between 10am and 4pm.

Kailas Gaikwad, an office bearer of a ZP primary teachers’ association, said there had been growing demand from rural areas to shift to morning timings due to the delayed monsoon. “The lack of rainfall has resulted in higher temperatures. Many ZP schools lack permanent infrastructure, with classes conducted in tin shed structures, making conditions uncomfortable for both students and teachers,” he said.According to official data, Jalna has received only 20mm of rainfall in June so far, reflecting a nearly 80% deficit.

Several schools said scant rainfall had led to water shortages in many areas, affecting school operations.The district has around 1,500 ZP and govt-run schools catering mainly to rural students. ZP education department officials said private schools in urban areas, especially those functioning in two shifts, might be exempted from the directive due to operational constraints.